Wind reed musical instrument



(No Model.)

P. J. DEVAULT.

WIND REED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

No. 583,194. Patented May 25,1897

w vtneooeo UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

IHILIP J. DEVAULT, OF CRIPPIIE CREEK, COLOPADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- IIALF TO .IOI'IN MIGNOLET, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

WIND REED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 588,194, dated May 25, 1897.

Application filed July 3, 1896. Serial No. 598,038. No inodelfi To (tZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PHILIP J. DEvAULT, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cripple Creek, in the county of El Paso and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vind Reed Musical Instruments; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable oth ers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wind reed musical instruments, and while my improvements relate generally to this class of instruments I have shown them applied to a clarinet. My object is to complete and perfect the system of fingering this class of instruments set forth in United States Letters Patent No. 527,742, issued to me October 16, 1894, and bearing the same title. My present invention may be considered an improvement on the construction set forth in said patent; and to this end the invention consists of the features hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary.

View of a clarinet provided with my improvements. This is atop view of the instrument that is to say, it presents the side uppermost when the instrument is held in posit-ion for use. Fig. 2 shows the instrument when given a quarter-turn from the position illustrated in Fig. 1, a number of the keys being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the instrument seen from the side opposite that in Fig. 2, the parts being shown on a larger scale. Fig. 4. is a section taken on the line 5000, Fig. 2, looking toward the right. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 1 3 Fig. 3. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate details of construction, the parts being shown on a larger scale.

By an inspection of the drawings it will be observed that my present improvements consist of new mechanism for operating the covers A, B, C, and D, which control the four sound-holes located at the uppermost end of the instrument, or that shown farther to the left in the drawings; in providing a small vent-hole in the side of the upper part of the instrumen t,said hole being normally closed by a cover 30, which is operated by the thumb of the right hand; also, in the addition of one sound-hole at the lower end of the instrument, said hole being controlled by a cover 16. The covers 1 to 15, both inclusive, are operated as explained in my previous patent. These covers are provided with keys having overlapping projections (Z cl, so arranged that these projections act to depress or close all the covers above the key acted upon.

The object of these improvements, as heretofore intimated, is to facilitate the necessary fingering of the keys for the production of certain sounds which are obtained by operating the covers mentioned.

I will now explain the operation of these covers and their advantages. The covers A, B, C, and D are a continuation of my system previously patented and are connected in the same way. Covers C and D are operated by the keys M and N. The key N is fast on a sleeve-section 18, mounted on a shaft or spindle 19. The key M operates two sleeve-sections 20 and 91, also mounted on the shaft 19 and connected by a stirrup 22. The sleeve 18 is located between the sleeves 20 and 21. (See Fig. 6.) Covers C and D are provided with weak springs, which have a tendency to maintain them in the open position in the same manner as the covers 1 to 16.

Rigidly attached to the sleeve 18 is an arm 18, which projects over the cover D. The key N has a countersprin g which is stronger than that of the cover D and therefore holds the cover shut except when the key N is pressed and the projection 18 raised, in which case the cover D opens automatically by virtue of its spring. This cover cannot open, however, unless the other covers below or to the right of it are opened, since its sleeve-section is mounted on the same shaft 17 and provided with projections (Z d in common with the covers 1 to 16. The projection d of any sleeve is adapted to overlap the projection d of the adjoining sleeve. Thus when it is necessary to pass to the note which cover D gives when open or from that note to any other note, such as it is only necessary to hold the first finger of the left hand on key N and operate the other cover without further attention to cover D. Cover 0 is operated by pressing the key M, whose sleeve has a projection 21, which acts on said cover in the same manner as the key N acts on cover D, as heretofore explained. It will be readily seen that this arrangement, which allows covers C and D to open auto matically as required and when required, is a very great ad vantage over the systems heretofore used in which the cover is a part of the key, and the hole cannot be closed unless the finger releases the key each time it is required to pass to any other notes, thereby rendering passages such as the above extremely difficult when performed rapidly.

The covers A and B are operated by the first finger of the right hand, the mechanism employed being illustrated in Fig. 3. This figure also shows a construction by which cover D can also be operated by the first finger of the left hand.

The covers A and B are connected with the other covers by means of the projections (Z d", as heretofore explained when speaking of the covers 0 and D. Ifenee the covers A and 13, like all the others, cannot open unless all below are opened or open at the same time. These covers A and B, however, are provided with springs which hold them normally closed. Hence in this they differfrom the other covers.

The key 9 is formed integral with an angular arm g, the latter being rigidly attached to a hollow bar 20, mounted on a suitable shaft e. To the opposite end of the bar it or the end remote from the key g is an arm E. This arm E overlaps an arm F, the latter being rigidly attached to the sleeve of cover l3. Hence by pressing on the key 9 the cover 13 is operated.

The key I is fast on the shaft n and overlaps the angular arm g of key g. 'To the extremity of the shaft 'v remote from the key I is made fast an arm E, which overlaps an arm F, made fast to the sleeve of cover A. Thus cover A is operated by key I in the same manner as cover 13 by key g.

Covers A and 15 are used principally for trills, which are performed in the following manner: Supposing the trill to be between the notes A and Bp,

key [1 with the first finger of the right hand. If the trill is to be between the notes A and Eli],

it is done in the same way, except that the first finger of the right 'hand trills key I instead of key g, since the latter key operates both covers A and l as key I overlaps the angular arm g of key 7. Thus the trill is a whole tone instead of a half-tone. If the trill is to be and the keyN is held down, opening the cover D, which gives the note Ab, then trill with key g, which opens cover l3 and also cover (1, since the sleeves of the covers are connected by the projections (l d, as heretofore explained. Hence I have the whole-tone trill. This arrangement gives perfect trills, as can be easily understood. In other systems these trills are very imperfect and sometimes impossible from the construction of the instrument.

I will now explain how key K operates cover 1) when it is necessary it should be operated by the right instead of the left hand. The key K is fast on a shaft (1, to which is also made fast an arm 2', overlapping an arm s, the latter being also overlapped by the projection 18 on the sleeve of the cam I). Now when the key K is pressed the arm engages the arm 5 and raises the arm l8 of the key N, allowing the cam D to open.

I have thus shown that coverD can be operated from either side-that is to say, by key N or by key K and by the right or left hand, as the passage in music may require. The advantage of this is that it facilitates passages of this kind which are performed by holding the cover l) open by pressing on key K with the first finger of the right hand. This will give the note Gti, (this finger need not move,) while the first linger of the left hand performs the trill by raising and depressing the key M. By this eontrivance the above passage is very easily performed, while with instruments heretofore used such passages are extremely difficult or almost impossible.

I will now describe the mechanism for operating the cover 30,controlling the small hole mentioned in the statement of invention.

The key 23 (see Fig. 2) is adapted to be operated by the thumb of the right hand When the instrument is held in position for use. This key is fast to a shaft 2 2k; to which is also made fast an arm 25, which overlaps an arm 26, fast on a shaft 27, carrying the 5 cover 30. This cover has a spring which normally holds it shut, but when it is required the thumb presses key 23 and opens the cover by virtue of the connection just explained.

The shaft 27 is connected with a separate 1o shaft 23 by means of an arm 28, fast on the shaft 28 and overlapping a similar arm 27, fast on the shaft 27. Hence the pressure on the key 23 also opens a cover 29, fast 011 the shaft 23, when said cover is not already open. [5 This construction is useful in passages like the following:

which require that both covers 29 and 30 be open at the same time, but the greatest advantages of this mechanism will be evident 2 5 when it is remembered that the opening of the vent-cover 30 will obviate the necessity for what is called fork-fingering in the upper register of the instrument,the awkwardness of which is described in my former patent. In

0 my previous patent a double cover was shown to accomplish this end, but it necessitates the movement of the first finger of the right hand, which at times interferes with the general fingering.

3 5 The movement of the thumb by my present construction does not interfere with the movement of the fingers and in some passages is a Very great advantage.

My present construction also includes an 40 extra cover, (designated by the numeral 16.) This cover, with its corresponding sound-hole, gives a half-tone more compass by descending to E'p and makes the instrument capable of prod ucing the following passages st e connected with the next cover by means of the projections (Z d',one overlapping the other, as fully explained in my previous patent. It is operated by the little finger of either hand. A key 31 is made fast to a shaft St at one extremity. This shaft carries at its opposite extremity a projection 35, which is overlapped by a projection 36, fast on the sleeve-section of the cover 16. This cover may also be operated by the little finger of the left hand through the instrumentality of a key 38, made fast to the sleeve 39, (see Fig. 4,) carrying a projection 40, which is overlapped by a projection i1, fast on shaft 34. The advantages of operating cover 10 in this manner will be realized when it is necessary that this cover should be opened or closed before or after cover 15 or 14. For instance, if a passage like this is to be executed, the little finger of the left hand holds cover 15 closed by pressing on the key 32, while the little finger of the right hand opens and closes cover 16 by manipulating the key 38.

Neither of the above passages could be performed otherwise than in the manner described.

By the above description of cover 16 its usefulness and also the advantages in the manner of operating it will be easily seen.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In an instrument of the class described, the combination with the lower covers normally open, of the cover A controlling a sound-hole in the tube of the instrument, said hole being located near the mouthpiece thereof, the cover being normally held closed by a suitable spring, the stem of the cover being made fast to a sleeve mounted 011 a suitable shaft, said sleeve having a projection F made fast thereto, a shaft a; suitably mounted on the tube of the instrument and carrying a fast projection E overlapping the projection F, and a key I made fast to the shaft 1) whereby, as the key I is pressed, the cover A is operated, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an instrument of the class described, the combination of the covers A and B controlling sound-holes in the tube of the instru ment and normally held closed by suitable springs, the stems of the covers being made fast to sleeves mounted on a suitable shaft, said sleeves being also provided with projections F and F respectively, a shaft 7; suitably mounted on the tube of the instrument and carrying a fast projection E overlapping pro- 9 fast 011 the sleeve to, the key I overlapping the arm g as and for the purpose set forth.

ment, and provided with springs which have a tendency to hold the covers open, and the keys N and M made fast to sleeves suitably mounted on the tube of the instrument, said sleeves carrying projections overlapping the covers G and D, the keys M and N being provided with springs stronger than the springs of the covers 0 and D as and for the purpose 1 set forth.

4. In an instrument of the class described,

the combination with the tube having soundj the combination with the tube having soundconnected as to close all the covers above the key acted on, of a shaft 27 suitably mounted I thereon and provided with a stem carrying a cover 30 controlling a vent-hole in the tube, said cover being normally held closed by a. suitable spring, the shaft 27 being also provided with an arm 26, and a shaft 24 pro-,

holes controlled by covers whose keys are so vided with a key 23 and an arm 25, the latter overlapping the arm 26 whereby, as the key 23 is pressed, the cover 30 is opened, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In an instrument of the class described,

the combination with the tube having soundholes controlled by covers whose keys are so connected as to close all the covers above the key acted on, of a shaft 27 suitably mounted thereon and provided with a stem carrying a cover 30 controlling a vent-hole in the tube, said cover being normally held closed by a suitable spring, the shaft 27 being also provided with an arm 26, a shaft 24 provided with a key 23 and an arm 25, the latter overlapping the arm 20, and a sleeve having aprojection overlapping a projection on the shaft 27, the sleeve 28 being provided with a cover 29 adapted to control a hole in the tube of the instrument whereby, as the key is pressed, the covers 29 and 30 are both opened, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In an instrument of the class described, the combination with the tube having soundholes controlled by covers whose keys are so connected as to close all the covers above the key acted on, of the cover 10 controlling a I11 an instrument of the class described, the combination of the covers 0 and D controlling sound-holes in the tube of the instrusound-hole in the tube of the instrument, said hole being located near the extremity of the tube remote from the mouthpiece, the said cover being connected with the next cover by the overlapping projections (Z (Z, the cover being connected with a sleeve mounted on a shaft carried by the tube, a shaft 34- having a key 31 made fast thereon, said shaft being provided with a projection 35, the sleeve of the cover 30 having a projection which overlaps the projection 35, whereby, as the key 31 is pressed, the eover16 is operated, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In an instrument ofthe class described,

holes controlled by covers whose keys are so connected as to close all the covers above the key acted on, of the cover 16 controlling a sound-hole in the tube of the instrument, said hole being located near the extremity of the tube remote from the mouthpiece, said cover being connected with the next cover by the overlapping projections (Z d, the cover 16 being connected with a sleeve mounted on a shaft carried by the tube, a shaft 3% having a projection 41 made fast thereon, a sleeve 30 mounted on a suitable shaft and carrying a key 38, said key also carrying a projection t0 overlapping the projection 4C1 on the shaft 34, whereby, as the key 38 is pressed, the cover 16 is operated, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

PIIILII .I. DEVAUIII. Attest:

WILLIAM R.' MoCRuA, WILL II. SrURcnoN. 

